Post on 29-Jun-2018
transcript
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Great Lakes history of economic and
major environmental agreements.
International Joint Commission (IJC)
Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway
The Grand Canal
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA)
Overview of Areas of Concern (AOCs)
Lake Superior North Shore overview.
Thunder Bay example.
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The Great Lakes Basin A Shared Treasure Worth Protecting
A shared resource
between Canada and
the U.S.
20% of the world’s
surface fresh water
Drinking water - more
than 40M people
Rich biodiversity
Vital role in supporting
central Canada’s
economics
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History of Great Lakes Environmental Programs
1909 - Boundary Waters Treaty established the International Joint Commission (IJC)
1970 - National environmental agencies:
Environment Canada (EC)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
1972 – Ontario Ministry of the Environment
1972 - The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA)
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History of Great Lakes
Past historical disputes and agreements of water flowing along or across the boundary, notably for navigation:
Europe
Mexico and United States
Canada – US Disputes included:
St. Mary and Milk Rivers in the west
Rainy River
the Chicago Diversion of Lake Michigan (which lowered lake levels by 6 inches)
St. Mary's River at Sault Ste. Marie and the Niagara River
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Great Lakes – St. Lawrence
Seaway
St. Lawrence River, St. Lawrence Seaway and the
Great Lakes, sometimes termed Hwy H2O, is a
3,700-kilometre (2,300 mile) marine highway that
runs between Canada and the United States.
Some history
1895
The first joint Commission is formed to study the
feasibility of a Seaway. This is followed by the
International Joint Commission in 1909, but no
further action on Seaway proposal.
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Seaway history (cont)
1932
Fourth Welland Canal completed: 43.5 km (27
miles) long, 7.6 m (25 feet) minimum depth. Eight
locks raise ships a total of 99 m (326 feet). This
was the first step in the completion of the modern
Seaway.
1954 Agreement reached between the U.S. and Canada
concerning construction. The cost estimate was $470
million; Canada paid $336.5 million and the U.S. $133
million.
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Seaway history (the opening)
1954 Completion of the Seaway navigation project links
the Great Lakes to global markets.
On April 25, the icebreaker "D'Iberville" begins the first
through transit of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Gross
shipping weight for this first navigation season amounts
to 22 million tonnes.
1979
The gross tonnage of ships passing through the Seaway
reaches 80 million tonnes.
1996
Total of two billion tonnes of cargo, valued at more than
$300 billion.
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Seaway Locks
This lift system and accommodate ships to 225.5 metres
in length (740 feet) and 23.8 metres (78 feet) in the beam.
Ships can be twice as long and half as wide as a football
field and carry cargoes the equivalent of 25,000 metric
tonnes. Passage through a lock takes about 45 minutes.
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Discussion
1993
The Seaway’s draft is increased from 7.87 m to
7.95, enabling ships to carry more cargo per
voyage
2004
The Seaway’s draft is increased 8.03m (26.5
feet) enabling ships to carry up to 300 tonnes
of additional cargo per voyage.
In-class discussion/consideration
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The Great Recycling and Northern Development
(GRAND) Canal:
First proposed in 1959, this enterprise continues
to be on the drawing board
Revived in 1985. The project briefly captured the
imagination of Quebec premier Robert Bourassa
and other public figures.
Estimated in 1994 to cost $100-billion and $1-
billion a year to operate — envisaged nuclear
reactors and hydro dams to pump water uphill,
and nine inter-basin transfer locations.
The Grand Canal
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History of Great Lakes Environmental Programs
1909/1910 - Boundary Waters Treaty established the International Joint Commission (IJC)
1970 - National environmental agencies:
Environment Canada (EC)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
1972 – Ontario Ministry of the Environment
1972 - The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA)
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Goals of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is an Executive Agreement between Canada and the United States. It is not a Treaty.
The Agreement commits the two countries to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the waters of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.
The Agreement is a relatively successful model of Canada-United States binational cooperation.
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Evolution of the Agreement
1972 1978 1983 1987
Reduce Phosphorus Loading Reduction of visible pollution
Persistent Toxic Substances Ecosystem Approach to management
Phosphorus Supplement Updated Phosphorus reduction targets
Remedial Action Plans for Areas of Concern Lakewide Management Plans
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Remedial Action Plan Process
All Remedial Action Plans must proceed through
three stages.
Stage One: determine the severity and underlying
causes of environmental degradation that make the
location an AOC
Stage Two: identify goals and recommend actions that
will lead to the restoration and protection of ecosystem
health.
Stage Three: implement recommended actions and
measure progress of restoration and protection efforts
in the AOC to ensure the local goals have been met.
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Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem
Agreement between the Government of Canada and Ontario
Six Federal Department Signatories 8 Federal Agencies/Departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food; Environment; Fisheries and Oceans; Health; Parks Canada Agency; Natural Resources; Public Works and Government Services; and Transport (and Infrastructure Canada)
Three Provincial Signatories
3 Provincial ministries: Environment; Natural Resources and Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
There have been seven COA’s since 1971.
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Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA)
Coordinates the governments of Canada and Ontario’s efforts to achieve the vision of a healthy, prosperous and sustainable Basin Ecosystem for present and future generations.
Key mechanism to engage the broader Great Lakes community and collaborate with other implementers to protect the Great Lakes
Contributes to meeting Canada’s commitments under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
Present – 2014 agreement http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=46027E23-1
GLWQA revisions
Align Federal/Provincial Great Lakes funding
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COA FRAMEWORK
AREAS OF
CONCERN
(Annex 1)
Complete priority
actions for
delisting in 4
AOCs, and make
significant
progress in
others
HARMFUL
POLLUTANTS
(Annex 2)
Toward virtually
eliminating
persistent toxics
and reducing
other harmful
pollutants, with
an enhanced
focus on human
health
LAKE AND BASIN
SUSTAINABILITY
(Annex 3)
Responding to
significant
challenges such
as harmful
pollutants,
invasive species
and biodiversity
conservation and
new priorities
climate change
and source water
protection
COORDINATION
OF MONITORING,
RESEARCH AND
INFORMATION
(Annex 4)
Coordinated
scientific
monitoring and
research, and
information
management for
tracking and
reporting on
environmental
change
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Overview COA Annex 1
Goals
1. Complete priority actions for
delisting in 4 AOCs: Nipigon
Bay, Jackfish Bay, St.
Lawrence River (Cornwall)
2. Make significant progress
towards Remedial Action Plan
(RAP) implementation,
environmental recovery and
restoration of beneficial uses in
the remaining 11 AOCs.
Rural Non-point
Pollution
Upgrading of Wastewater
Infrastructure
Stormwater Control
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Peninsula Harbour
Issues:
Pulp mill and water pollution control plant
Contaminated sediment
Accomplishments:
Upgrades to pulp mill and water pollution control plant improved water quality and aesthetics (however, mill closed in March 2009)
Identified preferred sediment management option – thin layer capping
Outlook:
Re-established Public Advisory Committee
Commence detailed design and EA this summer
Sediment management project implementation anticipated in 2010
Assess benthic community and fish habitat conditions outside sediment remediation area
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Nipigon Bay
Status: Area of Concern
Reasons for AOC Designations
Degradation of benthos
Degradation of aesthetics
Loss of fish habitat
Status of BUIs
Success of fish habitat initiatives
are being assessed
Water management plan has
been completed and implemented
Degradation of benthos is related
to municipal and industrial
discharges (Domtar Red Rock Mill
closed in 2006) assessment is
ongoing
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Thunder Bay
Issues:
Pulp & paper, wood preserving
Contaminated sediments
Loss of fish & wildlife habitat
Accomplishments:
Secondary treatment at mills & STP have improved water quality
NOWPARC sediment project
Habitat rehabilitation complete
Outlook:
Implement sediment management strategy once options have been studied (summer ’09)
Assess current state of remaining impaired BUIs and develop a monitoring plan
Make monitoring results more accessible to local stakeholders
Lake Superior Management
Dynamics
International Joint
Commission
United States
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Michigan
Canada Ontario
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GLWQA
Canada/Ontario Agreement
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Local Management
Dynamics
RAP Team
Implements remediation &
monitoring plan
RAP Team
Provides updates of monitoring and
project status to the PAC.
PAC
Reviews results and provides written
recommendations to RAP Team.
RAP Team
Reviews recommendations
and provides written response to the PAC.
RAP/PAC
RAP Team and PAC meet to discuss any outstanding issues.
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The Great Recycling and Northern Development
(GRAND) Canal
First proposed in 1959, this enterprise continues
to be on the drawing board.
The concept was revived in 1985. The project
briefly captured the imagination of Quebec
premier Robert Bourassa and other public figures.
The Grand Canal